Sheldon Mary and Hamlyn the Pointer
This lovely figure made in the 19th century is copied from the 1641 portrait by Van Dyck of the five eldest children of Charles 1st and was once on show in the kitchen at Sheldon Manor, a medieval house in Wiltshire U.K. When the house was sold the family took the figure and its companion to their new home. Anecdotal evidence suggested that 18th, 19th and early 20th century artists cut out suitable exisiting figures from oil paintings and mounted them on wood, but they also copied well known artsts and made their work into dummy boards. This dummy board shows the eldest daughter of Charles, Mary, who was married at a very early age to William 2nd of the Dutch house of Orange consequently living much of her life in Holland. She died of smallpox in 1660 and was the mother of Wiliam 3rd who became one half of our reigning monarchs William and Mary. The figure is made on one oak board covered with canvas and is wonderfully painted in great detail. It has had a new base recently and has been cleaned and restored. The Pointer, Hamlyn A very beautiful life sized dummy board of the English Pointer, Hamlyn of Hellyer, a famous mid 19th century working dog, dam to many beautiful puppies. This figure it is said, was produced by a talented itinerant sign board maker in Cumberland in 1878 for the dog’s owner, but we have no direct evidence to support this claim. Historically, cats and dogs were by far the most commonly painted dummy boards but because they were usually quite small, they often acted as chimney boards inserted into the grate when the fire was not lit, and as a result were often damaged and were discarded. They still come up at auction now and again and sometimes fetch a high price as they are relatively small, very attractive and are easily accommodated in the modern home. This one no doubt has survived because it has been handed down through the family and is much prized, though she has had to have a repair to her tail in the 20th century. Size girl 3 inches (78 mm) £85.00
Dog 2 inches (50mm ) £45.00 If you would like to purchase an item, or if you have a question, please contact Susanne. |
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Sheldon Mary